Coaches

Andrew Koh (U11) -

Brian Higgins (U11) -

Rob Callahan (U13) -

Keith Wick (U13) -

Derek Schoettle -

Tom Wideman -

Thom Martin (U15) -

Mike York (U13) -

Phil Lang (U15) -

Everybody can work on their own to improve themselves personally, whether it be finding a wall to pass against, with both your strong and weak hand, practicing your scooping and shooting, or just watching as much lacrosse as possible. One of the best things you can do is to get out there and watch the game. There are many opportunities to watch the sport, and I know that in Milton there is not only the High School but Milton Academy as well. Both of these schools have excellent programs, and just spending a few minutes observing will bring you a long way in your own game. The lacrosse scene in the surrounding area is at it’s height, with two amazing pro teams in Boston alone. The MLL’s Boston Cannons have an amazing program and you can watch there games all summer long up at Harvard, and the NLL’s Boston Blazers at TD Bank North coming into their first season in January, 2009. The best thing you can do is to surround yourself with the game, and have your stick in your hand as much as possible.

Though keeping lacrosse in mind, do not limit yourself to one sport. Multi sport athletes are the most valuable. The skills and lessons learned in other sports are transferable to the lax world. Basketball, soccer, football, baseball, hockey, and all team sports are great for keeping in shape in the off season and for learning how to work with a team.

Get out to camps and clinics in the summer and winter. These are great opportunities to put the skills and lessons you’ve been working on in real time situations.

Here are some helpful pointers that I have heard and cherished in my years with the game:

Passing:

1. Throw over hand. Though side-arm may look like the cooler way to pass it is less accurate and harder to judge when the ball is coming your way.

2. “The push/pull method” – When I was taught to pass I was told to bring my hands to the lower part of the shaft and push with my top while simutaneously pulling with the bottom. An easy way to judge where to put you hands consistently is to put a little piece of tape where your hand feels most comfortable. Always keep your bottom hand on the butt-end of the shaft.

3. Step towards your target. It’s like a pitcher’s throw. If you’re a righty, step with your left foot and point your toe towards your target, and vice versa for lefties. Even while playing pass with a friend or just chucking the rock against a wall, practice your follow through. When in a game are you standing flat footed while making a pass? Exactly so even practice moving your feet. take a couple of steps towards your target even when you’re not in a game. Find a comfort zone. And remember, whatever you do with your strong hand you must repeat with your weak. The more you work on your off hand, the more likely you will use it come game time, making you a much more valuable weapon for your team.

4. Free your hands- take a few steps away from your defender to free your hands to complete the pass. A jab step is worth the half second. Pull it outside the box if under pressure.

5. Mirror your movements: If having a hard time getting comfortable with your off hand, use the mirror. Watch the way you throw with your strong hand, and try to replicate that with your weak. Look where you place your hands, where you release, and where your feet are positioned, and just drill the motion into your head. Perfect practice makes perfect.

6. Extend the stick: Keep the stick extended from your body while passing and shooting. Keep your stick away and high, and rotate with your hips.

You’ll gain accuracy and power.

Catching:

1. Give a target: Give your teammate something to aim for. Keep the head of your stick to the side of your head. Keep it high and away from the defender.

2. Keep your stick to the outside. This means you have to be able to use your weak hand. By keeping your stick to the outside, you are protecting it from your defender, freeing your hands to complete the pass or make a catch.

3. Soft Hands. If you’ve seen the mighty ducks movies, imagine the egg drill. you want to guide the ball into your pocket, not strike at it. Nestle the ball, and allow some give in your muscles. Rigid is not the word used to describe a catch.

4. Look the ball into your stick. The same thing in football. You can’t begin to run if you don’t have possession.

Shooting:

1. Extend your arms

2. Try and shoot on the run.

It’s harder for the goalie to detect and harder for the defender to defend. You get more energy into your shot as well.

3. Shoot where the goalie’s not.

Know your opponent; Check out if the goalie is left or right handed. Choose corners and hips.